Electrically controlled scale mechanism



Dec. 3, 1935. o. w. FISHER ET AL ELEGTRICALLY CONTROLLED SCALE MECHANISMFiled May 10, 19312 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS Z'Isber Ewe/fer OrinWallace Jia/ I2 MNN a N mmw mam 0NN- Dec. 3, 1935. o. -w. FISHER ET ALELEGTRICALLY CONTROLLED SCALE MECHANISM Filed May 10, 1932 5Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS I Orin Wallace Jsber ja/phf Wal/er ATT RNEY mw@ F "E m3 m9 w m tw Dec. 3, 1935. o. w, FISHER ET AL 2,022,659

ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED SCALE MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 10,1932 -INVENTOR5 Orm Wallace fisher Fa/ph E. Walter TORNEY Dec. 3, 1935-o. w. FISHER El AL. 2,022,659

ELEGTRICALLY CONTROLLED SCALE MECHANISM Filed May 10, 1952 5Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS Orin Wallace Pas/2m Y Ralph E. Waller B JiORNEY Dec. 3, 1935.

ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED SCALE Filed May 10, 1932 O. W, FISHER El ALMECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENIORS Or/n -Wa//ace fisher By a/ph E.Wall?! 4 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED SCALE MECHANISM Washington Application May 10,1932, Serial No. 610,414

16 Claims. (01. 249-50) Our invention relates to an electricallycontrolled scale mechanism.

In the weighing of bulk materials, in connection with grain elevators,huge quantities of material must be weighed in a short period of time,and the weighing must be accurate. In connection with this system, it isto be noted that the grain of many owners is of the intermixed in oneelevator, and the ownership of the various owners is designated only bythe weight of material delivered by such owners to the grain elevators.

Further, it is to be noted that the various States provide Stateweighers to watch the scales and protect the various owners. Scales tobe used for such purposes must be accurate, and many States require thatsuch scales must not contain springs or weighing apparatus which issubject to change.

Further, it is to be noted that many bushels per second must bedelivered to the scale, and after weighing, rapidly discharged therefromso that large quantities of material may be handled in a short period oftime.

In these and many other places, material is permitted to descend bygravity from one bin to another, and an automatic accurate scaleapparatus is needed to weigh such materials. Although many devices arenow on the market having been designed to provide an accurate,foolproof, automatic scale, still they do not accomplish these ends.Another difiiculty often encountered in present day weighing systems isthat a breakdown in the apparatus turning off the flow of material willcause an overflow on the floor, which may be in quantities of carloadsin aperiod of minutes, depending upon the capacity of the scale. Ourdevice, on the other hand, has been proven to be a success in a largeand most modern mill, and the following specific objects of ourinvention provide for an accurate, fool-proof automatic scale apparatus.

The primary object of our invention is to provide an automatic means forweighing and recording accurately the weight of any material which willflow freely from one receptacle to another.

More particularly it is the object of the invention to provide means,operated by but not physically connected to a scale beam, controllingthe delivery of material to the scale and in turn the unloading of thematerial from thescale.

Another object of our invention is to provide means which may be used inconnection with a movable scale beam for opening and closing electricalcircuits without interfering in any way with the free operation of thescale beam.

Another object of our invention is to provide a scale apparatus havingelectrical switches controlled by the weight of material in the scale,and by discharging material from the scale.

Another object of our invention is to provide a scale apparatus whichmay be selectively adjusted either for automatic or manual control andoperation.

Another object of our invention is to provide an electrically controlledscale apparatus operating in a predetermined sequence, so that improperoperation of any part of the apparatus will prevent the operation ofparts occurring later in the sequence, thus eliminating errors. Suchoperation in a pre-determined sequence further elminiates a possibilityof error due to the manual operation of means at an incorrect period inthe sequence of the operation.

Another object of our invention is to provide electrically controlledmeans for supplying material to the scale, and delivery of materialtherefrom, which electrically controlled means may be used as anattachment or accessory in connection with any scale provided with abalance beam.

Another object of our invention is to provide electrical means in thecontrol circuits preventing inaccurate operation of the parts fromaffecting the accuracy of the weighing.

Another object of our invention is to provide automatic means forcontrolling the weighing of free-flowing materials, which automaticcontrol means may be disconnected at any time, so that any quantity ofmaterial in the hopper may be weighed manually at any time and so thatthe scale beam may be checked for balance at any time when the hopper isempty.

Another object of our invention is to provide indicating meanspositioned at any convenient location to indicate the operativecondition of the scale apparatus at all times.

The above mentioned general objects of our invention, together withothers inherent in the same. are attained by the device, illustrated inthe following drawings, the same being preferred exemplary forms andembodiment of our invention, throughout which drawings like referencenumerals indicate like parts:

Figure 1 is a combined wiring diagram and schematic showingyof apparatusconstructed in accordance with our invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation on a larger scale of the scale beamembodied in the invention showing diagrammatically certain electricalconnections therewith.

Figure 3 is a view partly in elevation and partly 56 in section, on alarger scale showing the lower portion, the upper portion being brokenaway, of the scale hopper.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view substantially on a broken line 4-4of Figure 3, with the counter weights elevated. I

Figure 5 is a detached fragmentary elevation of a device positioned onthe lower portion of the scale hopper on the side opposite to that shownin Figure 3, and adapted to yieldingly hold the scale valve in fullyclosed position when the scale is completely empty.

Figure 6 is a side elevation with parts broken away, showing the lowerportion of the bin including the bin valves and the operating mechanismtherefor.

Figure '1 is a-view partly in section and partly in elevation,substantially on broken line 1--1 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a view in elevation with the cover removed of a lock switchoperated by the locking and unlocking of the scale valve.

Figure -9 is a view in elevation with the cover removed of an indicatorswitch connected to the lower portion of the scale hopper and operableby the scale valve for indicating the positions of such valve.

Figure 10 is a view substantially on broken line Iii-l0 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a view in elevation with the cover removed, of anelectrical switch positioned upon the lower portion of the bin, andoperated by the opening and closing of the bin valves.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating pressureresponsive means used in both the bin and the scale hopper and adaptedto be operated by an abnormal level of material in said bin or hopper.

Figure 13 is a view in elevation with the cover removed of a bin switchoperated by the pressure responsive means in the bin and shown in Figure12.

Figure 14 is a view in elevation with the cover removed, of a scaleswitch operated by the pressure responsive means in the scale hopper andshown in Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a view in elevation substantially on broken line l5l5 ofFigure 3.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the boot portion of the binsubstantially on broken line l6-l6 of Figure 6, showing the rear edgesof the main bin valve and dribble bin valve, and showing the positionsof the mechanism for holding said two valves open.

Figure 1'1 is a fragmentary view partly in elevation and partly insection substantially on broken line l1-l1 of Figure 16, showing themechanism for holding the main bin valve open, the mechanism for holdingthe dribble bin valve open being shown in Figure 6.

Referring to the diagrammatic showing of the parts in Figure 1, 20indicates a bin for the storage of material to be weighed, such asgrain, proshown schematically by providing pivot points 24 of scalehopper 22, which rest upon a supporting member 25. Supporting member 25rests upon beam member 26 at pivot point 21. Beam member 26 rests uponfulcrum 28. Link member 29 connects beam member 28 to a short beammember 30, which short beam member is fulcrumed at 3|. Link member 32connects short beam member to the scale beam 23, which is fulcrumed at33. This arrangement of links and scale beams provides for the reductionof weight upon the scale beam 23, and may be varied aecording to wellknown scale principles to accommodate the scale for variouscapaclties'of weigh- 1 ing, the above setting forth schematically only ione manner of accomplishing this purpose. Referring more specifically tothe bin 20 and the scale hopper 22, pressure responsive devices 34,which may be ofduplicate construction, are Y provided at the upperportion of the said bin 28 i and hopper 22 at a position normally abovethe operating level of material in the bin and hopper.

Referring to Fig. 12, a pressure responsive means 34 is preferablyconstructed with a rubber diaphragm 35 and a plunger 36. As the level ofthe material, such as grain, rises in the bin or scale hopper above thenormal operating level of the material, a pressure against the diaphragm35 causes the plunger 36 to move outwardly.

The plunger 36 of the pressure responsive device in the bin 20 isconnected with the operating 2 rod 31 of a bin switch 33 illustrateddiagrammatically in Figure l, and shown in more detail 3 in Fig. 13. Theplunger 36 of the pressure responsive device in the scale hopper 22 isconnected with the operating rod 39 of a scale switch :4 40 illustrateddiagrammatically in Figure l, and shown in more detail in Fig. 14.

Referring to Fig. 13, with the rise of material in the bin 20, adjacentthe pressure responsive means 34, the operating rod 31 is movedoutwardly causing an electrical connection between conductors 4i and 42,and at the same time causing the conductors and 43, which werepreviously connected, to become disconnected, the effect of which willbe particularly discussed in 4 connection with the wiring diagram. Asthe operating rod 36 in the bin 20 is moved outwardly, the plunger 31exerts a pressure against insulating block 44 which is connected tospring member 45 which spring member 45 is normally held it by thepressure of the spring against the operating rod 31. When in normalposition, (see Fig. 1) the spring member 45 causes an electricalconnection between the Y" energy at 4|, through the spring'member 45, tothe contact point 46, 6t and thence to conducor 43. As the pressure isexerted upon the operating rod 31, due to the level of the material inthe bin 20, the spring member 45 is urged away from the contact point46, and connects with the contact point 41, permitting M the Y energyfrom point 4| to connect to conductor 42.

In connection with the switches and conductors used throughout thisdevice, the term Y energy" will be applied to one conductor, and theterm "X energy" will be applied to the other conductor for the purposeof clearness. In this connection, the drawings will be somewhatdiagrammatic to prevent overlapping of lines, and it will be understoodthat in each instance where the term X is applied to the drawings, thata conductor from this point to the main switch is actually used but notshown, as the showing of such conductor would tend to confuse thedrawings.

The main switch just referred to, in every lnstance, shallbe switch 48.

Referring to Figure 14, as the material rises above the normal-operatinglevel of material in the scale hopper 22, the pressure responsive device34 will operate in a similar manner as that I described in connectionwith the bin 28. Under such conditions, the operating rod 96 of thepressure responsive device will urge the operating rod 89 of the scaleswitch 48 against the insulating block 49 attached to-the spring member58, and will engage the spring 58 with the contact members 5| and 52,permitting Y energy from 53 to flow to conductors 54 and 55, and springmember 56 will be disengaged from the conductor 56. When the operatingrod 39 of the scale switch 48 is retracted, due to the absence ofmaterial above and adjacent the responsive member 34 in the scale hopper22, the spring member 58 will be returned to its normal position, and aconnection between spring member 58 and conductor 56 will therebyresult, causing Y energy from 53 to be connected to conductor 56.

-At the bottom of the bin 28 (see Fig. 6) is provided a boot 51 having amain bin valve 58 and a dribble bin valve 59 controlling the dischargetherefrom. The boot 51 is open at the bottom, and the bottom of saidboot is of an arcuate shape. The main bin valve 58 and the dribble ,binvalve 59 have curved or arcuatc bottom portions 68 and SI, respectively,operable in close proximity to the bottom of the boot, and are furtherprovided with side portions which extend upwardly on opposite sides ofthe boot, and are pivoted as at 62. When the main bin valve 58 and thedribble bin valve 59 are in the fully closed position, shown in Fig. 6,discharge of material from the bin is prevented. When both of saidvalves 58 and 59 are to the left from the position shown in Fig. 6 tothe position shown in Figure 1, the bottom of the boot is opened and thedischarge of material is permitted. A small opening 68 is provided inthe bottom of the main bin valve through which a small amount or dribbleof material may discharge when the main bin valve is closed, and thedribble bin valve is open. The provision of the dribble opening 63, withdribble valve 59 for closing same, makes it possible to cut off the mainstream of material just before the desired weight has accumulated in thescale hopper 22, and to use a smaller dribble stream to bring the weightin the scale hopper to the desired limit, thus operating in a well knownmanner to make possible more accurate weighing.

A dribble bin valve 59 and main bin valve 58 are arranged so that theyboth open at the same time, and are held in the open position byseparate catch means so that they may be released and allowed to closeindependent of each other, the main bin valve 58 closing first, and thedribble bin valve 59 closing later. These valves may both close bygravity and may be opened by various difierent mechanisms, one of whichis hereinafter described.

The mechanism herein disclosed (see Figs. 6 and 7) for opening the mainbin valve 58 and the dribble bin valve 59 consists in two bars 64positioned on opposite sides of the bin valves, each having one endpivoted on the pivot 62, and the other end contacting fixed brackets 65,attached to the main bin valve 58, the brackets 65 being positioned forengagement with edges 66 of the dribble bin valve 59. The bars 64 arerespectively connected by pivots 61, with links 68, which in turn areconnected by pivots 69 with lever arms 18 on a transverse shaft H whichis mounted in bearing 12. The shaft 1I extends outwardly to one side ofthe boot 51, and is provided with the lever arm 13 which is pivotallyconnected with the upper end ofa plunger comprising yoke 14 connectedwith two members 15, whichextend downwardly into a cylinder 16, and areconnected with a piston member 11. The piston member 11 has a centralopening 18 within which is positioned a rotary impeller 19, which issplined on a shaft 88. The shaft 88 extends upwardly and is connectedwith a motor 8| mounted on the top of the cylinder 16. The cylinder 16contains a liquid, as oil. When the impeller 19 is at rest, the piston11, rods 15, and parts connected therewith, descend by gravity to thelower end of 10 the cylinder 16. When the motor is started, and theimpeller 19 rotated, it will tend to force the liquid from above thepiston 11 down below the said piston 11, and will cause the piston 11and rods 15 to move upwardly, thus operating through 5 lever arms 13,shaft 1i, levers 18, links 68 and bars 64 to open the main bin valve 58and the dribble bin valve 59. The hydraulic mechanism just described foropening the bin valves is a wellknown form, being commonly termedthruster. 3 Electric motor BI is connected by suitable conductors, suchas 82, to a source of energy indicated by 83, through solenoid operatedelectrical switch 84, (shown in Figure 1). The control of the solenoid85 operating the switch 84, and in turn the main bin valve 58 anddribble bin valve 59 will be discussed more particularly in connectionwith the wiring diagram.

A bar 88, (see Figures 6 and 16) is provided on the rear edge of thedribble bin valve 59 and 30 is arranged to engage with a hook 81 whenthe dribble bin valve is open, said hook serving to hold the dribble binvalve in an open position. Electrically operated release means for thehook 81 may be provided in'the form of an arm 88 3.; extendingdownwardly at an incline from said hook, and having engagement at itsbottom end with a bell crank lever 89, which is pivoted at 98, and isengaged by a plunger 9|, which is operated by a solenoid 92 in a housing93. When the solenoid 92 is energized, the plunger 9I is moved upwardly,and the bell crank 89 is oscillated and moves the hook 81 inwardly intorelease position, thereby releasing the dribble bin valve 59 andpermitting it to close by gravity.

The main bin valve 58, (see Figures 16 and 17) is held in an elevatedposition by mechanism which is substantially the form as the mechanismjust described in connection with the dribble bin valve 59. Thismechanism for holding the main bin valve in open position comprises abar 94 on the rear end of said main bin valve which is arranged to beengaged by a hook 95 connected by an arm 96, with a bell crank lever 91,pivoted at 98 and operated by the plunger 99 of a solenoid I88 mountedwithin a housing A plunger I82 of an electrical switch I83 (see Figures1, 6, and 11) is positioned adjacent a shoulder I84 of the dribble binvalve 59.

Referring to Figure 11, a spring member I85 is provided, normallycausing the Y energy at I86 to connect with conductor I81. In thisposition, the dribble bin valve 59 is open and when the same ispermitted to close, .a pressure is provided against plunger I82,disconnecting the connection between I86 and I81, and causing anelectrical connection between the Y energy on conductor I86 and theconductor I88. Plunger I82 operates upon an insulated block I89 asdescribed in connection with other electrical switches.

The bottom of the scale hopper 22 is provided with a boot II8, (Figure3) which is open at the bottom, and is adapted to be closed by a scalevalve III which is swingingly mounted on a pivot I I2. The scale valve II I is preferably larger than the bottom of the boot H3 and is providedwith upwardly turned edges H3 which extend over the outside of the bootH3. Counterweights H4 are adjustably mounted on lever arms I II whichare fixedly secured to the scale valve III, said counterweights servingto return the scale valve III to the closed position when no material isdischarging from the boot H3. The edge H3 of the scale valve III on theopposite side from the pivot H2 is inclined as at H3, and is providedwith a catch member H1 arranged to engage with a locking lug H3, on ashaft H3. Theshaft H3 is journaied in a bracket member 23, which issecured to the boot H3 and in another bracket member I2I, (see alsoFigure 15), which is also secured to the boot H3. A holding member I22is secured on the shaft H3 and is arranged to be engaged by a catchmember I23, which is pivoted at I24 on the bracket I 20. A spring I23urges the catch member I23 downwardly into an engaged position, and aplunger I23 operated by a solenoid I21 in a housing I23 is arranged tolift the said catch I23 to release the holding member I22. Twosubstantially balanced tension springs I23, normally tending to retainthe holding member I22 in an upright position are anchored to a crossbar I33 on the outer end of the bracket I23. When a load rests on thescale valve III and the catch member I23 is released, said scale valvewill swing downwardly and permit the material in the scale hopper todischarge. After said material has all discharged, the counterweights II4 will swing the scale valve III upwardly into closed position. As thescale valve III approaches the closed position, the catch member II1engages the lower side of the locking member H3 and raises said lockingmember into the position shown by dotted lines shown in Figure 3, at thesame time tilting the holding member I22 into the dotted line position.When the locking member H8 has reached such dotted line position, itwill snap downwardly past the end of the catch member H1, and theholding member I22 will be moved back into engagement with the catchmember I23, in which position locking member I I8 will be firmlysupported, so that the catch member I I1 may rest thereon, and the scalevalve be supported thereby in a closed position.

When the scale valve III closes, it will swing upwardly into the dottedline position shown in Figure 3, and beyond the position in which thecatch member H1 rests on the locking member H3, and will be held in thisfully closed position by mechanism, shown in Figure 5, until apredetermined weight of material rests on said scale valve and moves thesame downwardly into the full line position shown in Figure 3. As shownby full lines in Figure 5, when the scale valve II I is fully closed,the front edge of said scale valve will rest against an inclined surfaceI3I on a pawl I32 which is pivoted at I33 and urged toward the scalevalve by spring I34, and it will require a predetermined weight on thescale valve to overcome the .force of the spring I34 and permit saidscale valve to move downwardly into the position shown in broken linesin Figure 5. To prevent the pawl I32 from resisting the closing of thescale valve III we provide a stop member I35 which is pivoted on theboot H0 as at I36, and is arranged to engage with said pawl I32. Amember I31 is connected by pivot- I38 with the stop member I35,

and swings downwardly therefrom in a position to be engaged by the edgeH3 of the scale valve III. When the scale valve III is moved from thefully closed position shown by full lines in Figure 5, to the occupiedposition shown by dotted 5 lines in Figure 5, the pawl I32 will be movedoutwardly into the dotted line position, and the stop member I35 willdrop downwardly until it rests upon a stop pin I33, in which position itwill hold the pawl I32 outwardly, clear of the u edge of the scalevalve, so that when the scale valve again swings upwardly, it will notfrictionally engage the pawl I32, but will pass upwardly beyond the endof the pawl I32, will strike the member I31, lift the stop member I33,and 15 release the pawl I32, after the inclined edgeof said scale valveis opposite the inclined surface I3I, thereby avoiding frictionalengagement between the edge of the scale valve III and the pawl I32 whenthe scale valve III is being closed. 251 The mechanism shown in Figure 5is preferably positioned on the side of the scale boot H3, opposite tothe mechanism shown in Figure 3.

When the scale valve III swings downwardly into the open position andmaterial is discharg- 25 ing from the scale hopper, the weights H4 willbe swung upwardly into a position as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3,which is slightly past a vertical line, passing through the shaft H2,

whereby the weight I I4 will not tend to close the 30 valve. However, inthis position, the weights I I4 engage with relatively light springsI43, Fig. 4. which springs exert alight outward pressure on saidweights, said pressure being insufficient to start the closing of thevalve as long as any material is discharging from the hopper, but beingstrong enough to move the weights H4 back past the center line as' soonas'all material has been discharged. whereupon, the weights H4 willcause the closing of the scale valve. A stop 40 bar I40 is secured tothe boot I I3 and extends into the path of the lever arms H5 so that themovement of the weights II4 will be stopped after the springs I43 havebeen flexed enough to give the outward pressure as above set forth. 5

Bailie member I is provided in the scale hopper 22 immediately above theboot H3 to prevent impact of falling material on the scale valve III,said baille member allowing the material to freely pass downwardlyaround the edges thereof. 50 Referring to Figures 15, 8, and 3, theshaft H3 is journaled at one end in bracket I2I which bracket I2I issecured to boot H3. To shaft H3, pawl H3 and holding member I22aresecured as previously described. A cam I42 is also secured 55 on shaft II3 and is positioned so that its eccentric portion extends upwardly whenthe holding member H2 is in upright locking position. When this cam I42is in upright position it engages and lifts a switch plunger I43, which,in turn, engages 60 with an insulated block I44 and lifts a springcontact member I45, thereby making contact with another spring contactmember I43.- This closes the circuit between electrical conductors I41and I43, also shown diagrammatically in Figure 35 1. When the lockingmember I22 is in the locked position, the conductors I41 and I43 will beelectrically connected. For all other positions of the locking member I22, the circuit through these conductors will be broken. It is obviousthat this switch mechanism is responsive to the position of the holdingand locking means I22, H3 and H3 irrespective of the position of thescale valve, the object of this mechanism being to indicate whether ornot the locking mechanism ward travel of the scale valve III, justprevious to the time that the catch member H1 01" the scale valve IIIcontacts the locking lug II8, the plunger I50 being in its lowermostoperative position prior to first being engaged by the edge II3.

When the valve I II is not in engagement withthe plunger I50, the valveIII is therefore in an open position. As the scale valve III is closed Iso that it is in the iull line position shown in Figure 3, then thescale valve III is closed and a weight of material is present in thescale hopper of at least a predetermined amount, showing that the scaleis also occupied. When the scale valve I II is in the dotted lineposition, the scale valve is then closed and not occupied. As the scalevalve moves upwardly and downwardly it also moves the plunger I50 withit during the part of the travel just described, and the switch I49electrically indicates such positions in response to such movement ofthe plunger I50.

In Figures 9 and 10, the plunger I50 is in its most upward travel, thusindicating that the scale is closed and unoccupied. In this positionelectrical contact is made between conductor II, flexible conductor I52,brush contactor I53, stud I54, which'stud is connected to binding postI55. Conductor I56 connected to binding post I55 is thereby electricallyconnected to conductor I5I, when the scale valve is in this position.

In this uppermost position of the plunger I50, conductor I51iselectrically disconnected from conductor I58, as contactor I59, which isconnected by flexible conductor I60 with conductor I51 does not engagestud I6I, which stud is electrically connected with conductor I50.

Similarly conductor I62 is electrically disconnected from conductor I63as the electrical energy traveling along flexible conductor I64 andthence along the double contactor I65 and thence to con- .tactor pointI66 cannot reach stud I61 in this position, which stud I61 iselectrically connected to conductor I63. For this same position theelectrical energy from conductor I62, which has reached double contactorI65, travels along contact point I60, thence through elongated stud I69to conductor I10, which conductor I is electrically connected toelongated stud I63. Also in this same position of the switch, theelectrical energy from conductor I62, which has reached double contactorI65, cannot reach conductor I1 I,

as the contact point I60 is not in contact with stud I12, which isconnected by conductor I13 with the conductor "I. In summarizing forthis position of the plunger I50 and parts connected therewith,electrical contact is established between conductors I5I and I56 andbetween conductors I 62 and I10 and electrical disconnection isestablished between conductors I51 and I50 and between conductors I62and I63 and between conductors I62 and III.

The contactors I53, I59, and I65 are secured to a yoke I14 of insulatingmaterial which is secured to the plunger I50 and guided in guide membersI15. ported in bearings I16 in the switch housing. A helical tensionspring I11 urges the yoke I14 and horizontal position shown by fulllines.

The plunger I50 is slidably supplunger I50 downwardly. A sleeve I18serves-as a stop which engages the switch housing and limits the extentof movement of the plunger I50 in one direction.

When the scale valve I I I is moved downwardly 5 into the full lineposition shown in Figure 3,

then the plunger I50 and yoke I14 are moved downwardly by spring I11 toa mid-position; in which position contactor I50, and contact point I66of double contactor I65, engage the respective studs I61 and I61,contact point I68 of double contactor I65 remains in contact withelongated stud I69; contactor I53 disengages stud I54; and contactorpoint I60 of double contactor I65 remains disengaged from stud I12.Summarizing this position of yoke I14 and plunger I50, electricalcontact is established between conductors I51 and I58 and betweenconductors I62 and I63 and between conductors I62 and I10, whileelectrical disconnection is established between conductors I5I and I56and between conductors I62 and HI. This position of the contactsrepresents a position of the scale valve III in which said valve isclosed and at least a predetermined weight is present thereon. This lastdescribed position corresponds to the position shown diagrammatically inFigure l.

When the scale valve I II is at a position where the catch member H1 isbelow the locking lug II8, then the plunger. I50 and the yoke I15 aremoved to their lowermost position by thev spring I11, in which positioncontact point I60 of double contactor I65 engages stud I12 and all othercontacts are electrically disconnected. In this open position of thescale valve in summary, elec- 3 trical connection is established betweenconductors I62 and HI and electrical disconnection is establishedbetween conductors I5I and I56 and between conductors I51 and I50 andbetween conductors I62 and I63 and between conductors I62 and I10.

The scale beam 23, Fig. 2, has the usual weight means I19 near each endand may be provided with a balancing weight I80, of conventional type, Aswitch I8I preferably of mercury bulb type, is 45 mounted von a pivotI82 near the shorter end of the scale beam 23 and is secured to a barI03.

The bar I83, together with the mercury switch I8I, may be turned eitherinto the upright position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, or into the 5When the bar I83 is in the upright position shown by dotted lines, thescale beam will be in balance.

A spring I84 is used to retain the bar I83 in this upright position.When the bar I83 is in the horizontal position it rests on a stop pinI85. A weight I86 is provided on bar I03 and adjustable longitudinallythereof. The bar I83 is moved into vertical position before the scale isbalanced. After the beam has been balanced, the bar I83 is lowered intohorizontal position and the weight I86 adjusted so that it willcompensate for the weight of material which has left the bin and is inthe air between the bin and the scale hopper immediately after the binvalves have been closed by the weight of material in the scale hopper.

The weight I86 is adjustable to compensate for materials of variousweight and for streams of material of various sizes. When the bar I83 isin an upright position, the circuit through this switch I8I is broken,as diagrammatically indicated in Figure 1, and when said bar I03 is inthe horizontal position, the circuit through this switch is closed.

Preferably, an extension arm I81 is secured to 76 the balance or longerend of the scale beam 28 and extends outwardly therefrom, and means areprovided for exerting a slight upward pressure on this arm onlythroughout the lower portion of the movement of the balance endof thescale beam. This means for exerting the upward pressure may be in thenature of a lever arm I88 pivoted at I89 and having a tension springI98'connected with the outer end thereof and exerting a downward pull onsaid outer end. A stop member I9I limits the tilting movement of thelever arm I 88 so that the upward urge of the lever arm is only appliedto the scale beam below the center of balance of the scale beam. Anelectric switch I92, preferably of a mercury tube type, is secured tothe lever I88 preferably at the location of the pivot I 89. This switchI92 is connected with conductors I98 and I94 and is adapted to establishelectrical connection between these two conductors when the scale beamis moved upwardly from its lower position and the lever arm I88 rests onthe stop pin I9I. When the balance end of the scale beam 28 is in itslowermost position, the circult through the switch I92 is broken. Thebalance end of the beam preferably travels in the usual slot I81.

A plate I95 having a small aperture I98 is connected to the scale beam28 and may extend in an upward direction. Positioned upon one side ofthe plate I95 is an enclosed lamp member I91 having a small aperture I98positioned upon the side of the closure I99 adjacent the plate I95.Positioned upon the other side of the plate I95 is a light responsivecell 288 of a form commonly termed a photo electric cell" which isenclosed within a housing 28I said housing being provided with anaperture 282. The aperture 282 and the aperture I98 are positioned in acommon plane and at a height above the aperture I98 when the scale beamis below its position of balance, but are arranged so that light willpass through all three of these apertures when the scale beam 28 is ator above its position of balance.

In practice, if the end travel of the scale beam is small, the travel ofthe end of the beam upwardly to a point where the same is no longeraffected by the urge of the lever arm I88 may be substantially onefourth of the complete travel,

of the beam, and' the position where suflicient light is communicatedfrom lamp I91 to operate light responsive means 288 may be approximatelyone half of the remaining distance of the travel of the scale beam, suchpositions will ailord a factor of safety so that in case the scale beamvibrates, such vibration will not aflect the operation of the scale.When the light responsive means 288 is acted upon by'the lamp I91,electrical connection is established between conductors 283 and 284 bythe switch mechanism, not shown, which is actuated by the lightresponsive means 288 which are connected with said light responsivemeans 288.

To illuminate lamp I91, (see Figure 1) a transformer 285 is provided.This transformer has a rheostat 288 provided in the secondary toinitially adjust the intensity of the light of lamp I91 positioned inclosure I 99. The operation of the photo electric cell in this device isnot governed by the intensity of the light, the rheostat'merelyconstituting means for initially obtaining a satisfactory operatinglight. The transformer 285 is connected to and obtains its energy fromconductors 281 and 288. The energizing of these conductors 281 and 288ismore fully hereinafter described in connection with Figure 1.

ginning for this explanation, it will be assumed that the main bin valve58, and the dribble bin 10 valve 59 are both. in a closed position, andthe 2 scale valve III is in a closed and locked position.

To indicate that the scale valve III is in a closed and locked position,a lamp 289 will be illuminated. Tracing the energy illuminating lamp 15289, commence with Y energy on conductor I82, and pass through switchI49 and along conductor I18 which is connected with conductor I82 byreason of the position of the scale valve, and then pass alongconductors I41 and I48 which are 20 connected by reason of the scalevalve being locked,'thence along conductor 2I8, through the lamp 289, toconductor 2, which is connected with source of energy X, thus completingthe circuit through the lamp 289, and thereby indi- 25 eating that thescale valve III is closed and locked, and therefore, that the scale isin a position to receive material. As the scale is in a positiontoreceive material, and if it is desirable to manually operate thecontrol means and de- 30 liver material to the scale. this may be doneby the operation of switch 2I2. Switch 2I2 is manually closed, fora'desired period, sufllcient to permit the thruster, illustrated inFigs. 6 and 'l and hereinbefore described, to completely open the mainbin valve 58 and the dribble bin valve 58. In tracing the flow of energyafter the switch 2 I2 has been closed, commencing at conductor I82, theY energy from this conductor I82 will flow along conductors I18, I41,I48, and 2I8, as just 48 described in connection with the illuminationof lamp 289. From a point 2I8 on conductor 2I8, the energy will flowalong conductor 2 to a point 2I5, then through the switch 2I2 to a point2I8, then along conductor 2I1 to valve motor 45 switch 2I8, for motor8I.- The motor switch 2I8 is a manually operated switch, which will beclosed at all times when the scale'is in operation.

' energy passes along conductor 228 and through switch I8I. Switch I8Iis located on the main scale beam 28 and is hereinbefore described, andsuch switch is preferably operated so that in either manual or automaticcontrol of the main 88 bin valve 58 and the dribble valve 59, the switchI8I must be closed before the thruster may be operated, as the operationof the scale occurs after delivery of material thereto, and theoperation may be automatic thereafter. After pass- 88 ing the switchI8I, energy flows along conductor 22I through the solenoid 85, andthence to a source of x energy, thus energizing solenoid 85, which willoperate the electrical switch 84 and connect the thruster motor 8| to asource of energy 88.

The operation of the thruster motor 8| will then open the main bin valve58 and the dribble bin valve 59, and permit material to flow from thebin 28 into the scale hopper 22. The switch 2I2 is manually closed forthe desired period, as before stated, and when the circuit through thisswitch is broken, the operation of the thruster motor 8I will bediscontinued. When the energy is discontinued to the thruster motor 8I,the thruster piston 11, together with parts 15, 14, I3, 10, 68, and 64will return to normal position by gravity and will not thereafterinterfere with the gravity closing of said valves.

When switch 2I2 is closed, both the main bin valve 58 and the dribblebin valve 59 will be moved to an open position by the action of thethruster and will be held in this open position by the hooks 95 and 81,respectively, as previously described. When the dribble bin valve 59 isopen, the lamp 222 will be illuminated, indicating the open position ofsuch dribble bin valve. In the event the main bin valve 58 and thedribble bin valve 59 are not completely opened before the circuit to thethruster motor BI is broken, said bin valves will drop back to theclosed position and will operate the switch I03 and display the closedsignal by illuminating lamp 223, thus indicating to the operator that hehas failed to hold the switch 2I2 closed for a sufllciently long pe--rlod of time, to complete the opening of the bin valves, and he canagain close the switch 2 I2 for the desired period. .Tracing the circuitenergizing lamp 223, commence with Y energy on conductor I06 and passthrough switch I03 and along conductor I08, through lamp 223 and alongconductor 2 to a source of X energy.

The opening of the main bin valve 58 and dribble bin valve 59 permitsthe spring contactor I05 of switch I03, (see Fig. 11) to be moved by itsown spring action to break the just described signal circuit to lamp223, through conductors I06 and I08, and to close another circuitthrough conductors I06 and I01 of said switch I03. This last closedcircuit is traced as follows; commencing with Y energy on conductor I06,through the switch I03, along conductor I01, through lamp 222, and thenalong conductor 2Il to a source of Xenergy, thus illuminating lamp 222,thereby indicating an open position of one or both of the bin valves.

It will be noted that the illuminating of signal lamp 209 abovedescribed, is produced by the closing and locking of the scale valve III, which closes the circuit through the conductors I62, I10,

I41, and I48, and that the energy to operate the solenoid 85 controllingthe thruster motor 8! must pass through these same conductors.Therefore, the scale valve III must be closed and locked before the binvalves 58 and 59 can be opened to admit material to the! scale hopper22, thus insuring that any material delivered from the bin 20, will beretained in the scale for weighing, and cannot pass-directly through thescale.

The bin valves 58 and 59 may be closed by manual control withoutunloading the scale, by closing the double-pole switch 224. When this isdone, Y energy from main control switch 48 will flow along conductor225, through both sets of contacts of switch 224, and along conductors226 and 221 respectively, through the dribble valve release solenoid 92and the main valve release solenoid I00 and thereafter to sources of Xenergy. The plungers 9I and 99 of solenoids 9 2 and I00, respectively,are connected as previously described with the hooks 81 and 95,respectively, which are adapted to hold the dribble bin valve 59 and themain bin valve 58 in open position. The energizing of these solenoidsrecating the complete shut off of the flow of material from the bin. Asboth the dribble bin valve 59 and the main bin valve 58 open together,the valve indicator switch I33, if it is operated by the dribble binvalve 59, will at all times indicate the open position for both of thesebin valves. In scales which are not designed to weigh large quantitiesof material in a short period of time and which do not, therefore, needto restrict the opening towards the last part of the weighing, from thebin to the hopper of the scale, only one valve may be used, and thedribble bin valve 59 may be eliminated. In such scales ,the valveindicatorswitch I03 may be operated by the single bin valve to indicateboth the open and closed position. 1

Thus the bin valves 58 and 59 may be manually controlled to either openor close them any time to deliver material to the scale hopper 22 to beweighed, provided that the scale valve III is closed and locked, and thescale hopper 22 is otherwise in proper condition to receive suchmaterial. The automatic control of the bin valves 58 and will bedescribed hereinafter.

When the bin valves 58 and 59 are opened and the material allowed tofall into the scale hopper 22, it first strikes baiile plate I and isthereby deflected so that the impact of the fallingmaterial is borne bythe baffle plate and does not affect the scale valve III, and so thatthe scale valve III is only affected by the weight of the material whichflows around the baflle plates onto said scale valve. Operativelyconnected with the scale valve III, as hereinbefore described, is ascale valve indicator switch I49, which scale valve indicator switch I49is ac-' tuated by a predetermined weight of material upon the scalevalve so that conductors I5I and I56 are electrically disconnected,conductors I58 and I51 and conductors I62 and I63 are respectivelyconnected when the scale valve is closed and at least the minimumpredetermined weight rests upon the scale valve III. When no weightrests upon the scale valve III and the same is closed, the conductorsI5I and.l55 will be electrically connected, and the conductors I58 andI51 and the conductors I62 and I63 wil be electrically disconnected,respectively.

Thus, as material is delivered to the scale, the conductors I52 and I63are electrically connected, and Y energy from conductor I62 travelsalong conductor I63 through lamp 228, and along conductor 2 to a sourceof X energy, thus illuminating the lamp 228, thereby indicating to theoperator that material of at least the predetermined minimum amountnecessary to move the scale valve III to the occupied position ispresent in the scale.

If the automatic control of the scale in closing the bin valves 58 and59 should not be operating, or if the operator fails to turn off thesupply of material from ihe bin to the scale hopper by the operation ofswitch 224, which was previously described, or should fail to close themanual dump switch 229, which will first close the bin the material willrise in the scale hopper until a pressure will be exerted upon thediaphragm 35 of they pressure responsive device 34, thereby cutting offthe supply of material to the scale hopper. This safety cut 03 isaccomplished by movement of the diaphragm 35 of the scale pressureresponsive device 34 which is operatively connected with the switchmechanism of said scale pressure responsive device 34. As the materialexerts a pressure upon the diaphragm 35, plunger 39 of the scalepressure responsive device 34 will be moved, and will move the plunger39 of the switch 40, thereby electrically disconnecting conductors 55and 53 and electrically connecting conductors 53 and 54 and conductors53 and 55, respectively. When conductors 53 and 59 are electricallyconnected, as they ordinarily will be, Y energy from conductor 53 passesthrough switch 40, thence along conductor 59, thence along conductor230, through lamp 23I, and along conductor 2 too. source of X energy,and thereby illuminates lamp 23I, which indicates that the level of thematerial (if any) in the scale hopper is below the scale switch 40'. Ifthe conductors 53 and 55 are electrically disconnected and theconductors 53 and 54 and conductors 53 and 55 are respectively connectedby the operation of the scale switch 40, then the lamp 23I will be darkand Y energy from conductor 53 will pass along conductors 54 and 55,respectively, to points 232 and 233, respectively, and thence alongconductors 225 and 221, respectively, through the respective solenoids92 and I00, controlling the dribble bin valve release and main bin valverelease respectively, and to a source of energy X, thus releasing thedribble bin valve 59 and the main bin valve 59, and prevents ing thedelivery of any further material from the bin 20 to the scale hopper 22.The scale switch 40 is designed as a safety feature and is positioned inthe upper part of the scale hopper at a point above the normal capacitylevel of the scale hopper.

Before any material is introduced into the scale hopper, the usualweights are placed upon the scale beam 23 so that the beam is set tobalanze at any predetermined weight in the scale hopper. As the materialis delivered from the bin 20 to the scale hopper 22 the balance end ofthe scale beam will rise and the operator may close switch 224, thusreleasing the main bin valve 59, and the dribble bin valve 59, andpreventing the introdu'ctlon of further material into the scale hopper.Then switch I9I is turned to the upright position as indicated by dottedlines in Fig. 2. In this position the scale beam is at balance beforeany material is introduced into the scale hopper. In this'position nocompen sation is made for the material in the air between the bin andthe scale hopper after the scale beam rises. Thereafter it will benecessary for the operator to adjust the usual weights on the scale beam23 until the scale beam comes to a balance, and he will be able tothereby weigh the material in thehopper in the usual manner;

To manually control the opening of the scale valve III and to therebyremove the weighed material from the scale, after the bin valves havebeen closed and the scale beam has been brought to balance in theweighing position, as above described, the double-pole manually operateddump switch 229 is closed. Upon the closing of said switch 229, two binvalve release circuits to solenoids 92 and I will be closed, however, asit 2,022,659 valves 53 and 59 as is hereinafter described, then has beenassumed that the bin valves are already closed, due'to the closing ofswitch 224, these circuits, for the present, will be disregarded. Whenthe switch 229 is closed, Y energy from main switch 49 will flow alongconductor 225 to a point 234, thence through terminals 235 of dumpswitch 229, thence along conductors 239, and I93, through contactorswitch I92 and along conductor l94 to point 231, thence along conductor239, through solenoid 239, thence along conducl0 tor 240 and through thecontacts 2 of photoelectric switch 242, which are closed by reason ofthe scale beam 23 being up, thence along cjonductor 201 to a source of Xenergy, thus energizing solenoid 239, connecting conductor 240 to asource of X energy, and connecting conductor 243 to conductor 239. Dueto a tendency of the scale beam to vibrate when it is up and thusinterrupt the circuit through the photoelectric control, the double polerelay switch 239 is provided for connecting conductor 240 with a sourceof energy X, and conductor 243 with conductor 238, when the solenoid 299is energized as Just described.

After the solenoid 239 has been energizedby X 25 energy supplied byconductor 240, then conductor 240 will be connected to a separate sourceof X energy, and solenoid 239 will remain closed as long as Y energy issupplied to conductor 239. The provision of this additional energizingmeans for the solenoid 239 is of greater utility in connection with thefully automatic control of the scale hereinafter described, than it isin connection with the hand control, due to the fact that the operatorcan wait until the scale beam 23 is at rest before closing the dumpswitch 229 when the hand control is used. When the automatic control isused, the operation of cell 200 electrically connects conductors 203 and204, thereby operating solenoid 242 and furnishing X energy to conductor240 through contacts I, and after X energy has been initially providedto conductor 240, then by the operation of solenoid 239, X energy willbe furnished from a separate source to conductor 240, and thereaftersuch X energy will not be interrupted by vibration of the scale beam.Upon the closing of the circuit through conductors 239 and 243, Y energyfrom conductor 239 flows along conductor 243 and through the solenoid244 to a source of energy X, thus closing the tally relay switch 245.With the bin valves already closed and manual control dump switch 229closed, Y energy from conductor I05 flows to conductor I09, thence alongconductor I09 to point 245, thence along conductor 241 and 249, andthrough the then closed tally relay switch 245, connecting conductor 249with conductor 249, thence along conductors 249 and 250, through theswitch 229, thereby connecting to conductor 25I, thence along conductorI51 00 and through switch I49 to conductor I59, and through scale valverelease solenoid I21 to a source of energy X, thereby energizing thissolenoid I21 which releasesthe catch member I23 and allows the scalevalve I II to open by reason 95 of the weight of material resting uponit.

At the same time Y energy on conductor I59 travels along conductor 252to point 253, thence through the solenoid 254of recorder 255, thencealong conductor 255 to a source of X energy at the main switch 49,thereby operating the recorder 255 and stamping a record on a tape 251,recording information relative to the dumping of the scale hopper 22.The recorder 255 may embody motor driven feeding mechanism 259 mam forthe tape 281, and preferably an electrically controlled time indicatingmechanism 259, whereby a time record of the dumping of the scale will bemade. The time recorder 289 is energized through suitable conductors280. At this same time, Y energy from point 253 travels along conductor26I through a solenoid 262 and along conductor 2 to a source of Xenergy, thus energizing solenoid 262 and operating a tally 253 whichregisters each time the scale is dumped.

In the preceding description in the operation of dump switch 229, it hasbeen assumed that the bin valves 58 and 59 were both closed by operationof the switch 224 before the dump switch 229 was closed. However, if thedump switch 229 is manually closed while the bin valves are open, andwhen the scale beam is not in balance, no circuits are completed, andtherefore, no operation is produced. However, if the scale beam is inbalance, then upon the closing of the dump switch 229, circuits will becompleted as follows: Y energy from the main switch 48 will travel alongconductor 225 to point 234, thence through contact points 235 of dumpswitch 229, thence along conductors 236 and I93, through beam switchI92, which will be closed by reason of the balance end of the scale beambeing elevated, thence along conductor I94 to a point 231, thencethrough the solenoid of relay 264 to a source of X energy. Thisenergizes the solenoid of relay 264, which closes the contacts of saidrelay, permitting Y ener y to travel along conductor 265, thence alongconductor 55 to a point 233, thence along conductor 221, thence throughsolenoid I to a source of energy X. This energizing of solenoid I00releases the main bin valve 58 and permits it to close by gravity. Asthe scale beam 23 is in balance, the previously described circuitcompleted by the photoelectric control means, energizes solenoid 239 andelectrically connects conductors 238 and 243. This permits Y energy fromconductor 238 to pass to conductor 243, thence through solenoid 244 tosource of energy X. Energizing of solenoid 244 permits Y energy to flowalong conductors 266 and 261, thence along conductor 54 to point 232,-thence along conductor 226 and through solenoid 92 to source of energyX, which solenoid 92 releases dribble bin valve 59 and permits it toclose by gravity. With the bin valves both closed, the operation of thecontrol circuits to dump the scale is as previously described.

In connection with the dumping of the scale hopper 22 it should be notedthat the supply of material to the scale hopper 22 must be first stoppedbefore the hopper may be emptied, thereby insuring that the materialwill not pass directly through the scale. Also, it should be noted thatthe scale beam must be up before the scale hopper 22 may be emptied,thus insuring that the material in the scale has been weighed. Theweight of the material discharging through the scale valve keeps thescale valve open until the scale hopper is empty. As soon as thematerial is all discharged, the springs I40 and counter-weight 4 willraise the scale valve into fully closed position and it will be retainedthere by the scale valve catch mechanism previously described. By theoperation of the scale valve indicator I49 which is connected to thescale valve as previously described, conductor I62 is connected withconductor I" when the scale valve is open and conductor I62 is connectedwith conductor I10, when the scale valve is closed. The lock switchconnected to plunger I43 is operatively connected to the catch mechanismof the scale valve III, and the circuit through conductors I41 and I48of said switch will be closed when the scale valve lock mechanism is ina locking position and said conductors I41 and I48 will be electricallydisconnected at all other times, such operation of the lock switch hasbeen previously described. As conductor I62 is connected to conductorI10 by the closing of the scale valve and the circuit through the lockswitch connected with the plunger I43 has been closed by the locking ofthe scale valve in this position, energy Y from conductor I62 will passto conductor I10, and thence to conductor I41, thence to conductor I48,thence along conductor 2I0 and thence through lamp 209 and alongconductor 2 to a source of energy X, thereby illuminating lamp 209. Theillumination of lamp 209 indicates that the scale valve III is in aclosed and locked position and therefore is again in a position toreceive further material for weighing.

In the previous described circuit, lamp 209 was illuminated when thescale valve III was locked and closed. Lamp 285 is illuminated when thescale valve III is open in the following manner. When the scale valveIII is open, scale valve indicator switch I49 operated by such valve,closes an electrical circuit between conductors I62 and HI and thencealong conductor I" to a point 280, thence along conductor 286 throughlamp 285 along conductor 2 to a source of X energy, thereby illuminatinglamp 285.

The bin is provided with a bin pressure responsive means 34, which meansis devised as a safety feature. This means 34 is operated by and may beused to indicate the presence of excess material in the bin. Ashereinafter set forth, the bin pressure responsive means 34 willindicate by a signal, as a lamp 268, that the supply of material in thebin is below the means 34, or by another signal as by the sounding of ahorn 269, the presence of material at or above the means 34 will beindicated. In most instances the size of the bin is suflicient so thatthe indicating method herein set forth is satisfactory. The circuitsoperating this device are as follows: Diaphragm 35 in bin pressureresponsive means 34 is connected to a plunger 36, which, in turn isconnected with the plunger 31 of electric switch 38 (see Fig. 13) Whenthe diaphragm 35 is not subjected to pressure, electrical contact isestablished between conductors 4| and 43 and when pressure is exertedupon the diaphragm 35 of the bin pressure responsive means, connectionbetween conductors M and 43 is broken and an electrical connection ismade between conductors 4| and 42 of said switch 38. When electricalconnection is made between conductors 4| and 42 of said switch 38, Yenergy passes to horn signal 269 and thence to a source of X energy,indicating that a pressure has been exerted upon the diaphragm 35 andthat the level of the material in the bin has reached the bin pressureresponsive means 34. When no pressure is exerted against the diaphragm35 in the pressure responsive means 34, the conductors 4I and 43 areelectrically connected and energy from Y passes along these conductorsand through lamp 268 and along conductor 2I I to a source of X energy,thus indicating by the illumination of lamp 266 that a safe level ofmaterial, if any, exists in the bin.

We have set forth a manner in which the scale v position,

may be manually controlled, both in the filling, switch I48 will causedisconnection bebalancing and delivery of the material from the tweenconductors III and I88. which disconnecscale. Such features are usefulor the purpose of checking any part of the automatic operation of thescale, which will now be described,- and are in any part The signallamps which have been described in useful in the event of a breakdown ofthe automatic apparatus.

connection with the manual control of the scale will be illuminated andindicate the same conditions when the scale is under automatic control.

For the automatic and normal control of this weighing apparatus, thedouble-pole manually operated automatic weight switch 218 and themanually operated automatic dump switch 2 are closed, and the handswitch I8I on the scale beam is placed in position for automaticweighing, that is the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2. To insurethat the weight I88 is in proper position for the automatic control ofthe apparatus and to thereby insure that a weight is on the scale beamto compensate for the stream of material released from the bin 28, butnot yet delivered to hopper 22, the contactor switch I8I must be in theposition shown in full lines in Fig. 2 before the scale valves may beopened to deliver material to the hopper.

After the scale beam has been balanced as previously described inconnection with the scale beam proper, the desired additional weightsmay be applied. so that a desired weight in the hopper will cause thescale beam to balance.

With the scale beam in this position, the scale may be automaticallyoperated as follows:

To establish a point of beginning in describing one cycle of theautomatic operation of this scale, it will be assumed that the scalevalve III is in a locked and closed position, and that the main binvalve 58 and the dribble bin valve 88 are in a closed position. Switches48, 210, and 21I are then closed, and switch I8I must be turned into theposition shown in full lines in Fig. 2. With the apparatus in thiscondition, then the main bin valve 58 and the dribble bin valve 58 willopen. The electrical circuits opening these valves are as follows:

Y energy on conductor I82 will be connected to conductor I18 and to I41and to I48 by the position of switch I48 and plunger I48, because it wasassumed that the scale valve III was in a locked and closed position.The Y energy from conductor I82 will continue along conductor 2I8 to apoint 2I8, thence along conductor 2 to manually operated automatic weighswitch 210, and thence to conductor I58, through switch I48 to conductorI5I, thence through point 2I8, along conductor 2", through motor switch2I8 along conductor 228, through contactor switch I8I, along conductor22I, to solenoid 85 to a source of X energy. The energizing of solenoid85 closes contactor 84, which connects electric motor 8| with source ofenergy 88 through conductors 82. The energizing of electric motor 8|operates the thruster mechanism, thus opening main bin valve 88 anddribble bin valve 58, which valves will latch and remain in openposition.

As material is admitted into hopper 22, a predetermined weight, restingupon scale valve II I, will cause this valve to move from the empty asshown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, to the occupied position as shown infull lines in Fig. 3. This change of position will operate switch I48,as previously'described, in connection with Figures 9 and 10. Thisoperation of aoaaeso period when said balance end is in a loweredposition and throughforce of the spring I 88 due to the fact that as the1 balance end of the scale beam moves upwardly. theswitch lever I88comes to rest on a stop I8I and the balance end of the scale beamcontinues its upward movement without any further upward force beingexerted thereon by the switch lever I 88.

As the weight of the material entering the scale hopper nears thepredetermined amount necessary to balance the beam for which the scalebeam weights have been previously adjusted. the combined weight of thematerial and the upward urge of the switch lever I88 will elevate thebalance end of the scale beam until the switch lever is stopped by thestop 'member I8I. This movement of the switch lever I88 will causecontact between the terminals of contactor switch I82, which terminalsare connected with conductors I88 and I84.

This closes a circuit releasing the main bin valve catch 85 and permitsthe main bin valve 58 to close and leaves the dribble bin valve 88 open.This circuit may be traced as follows: Y energy from the main switch 48flows along conductor 225 to point 212, thence through the lowercontacts of automatic .weigh switch 218 to a point 218, thence alongconductor 288 and conductor I88 through the contacts of the contactorswitch I 82 which is closed as previously described, thence alongconductor I84 to a point 231, thence through the relay solenoid 284 andthence to a source of X energy. It will be noted that the automaticcircuit just described operates the relay connected with solenoid 284 ina similar manner as previously described in the operation of the manualcontrol dump switch 228, except that in the said automatic circuit thelower contacts of the manually operated automatic weigh switch 218 arealways closed during automatic operation and the connection of thecontacts of the contactor switch I82 completes the circuit when thebalance end of the scale beam rises sufliciently to permit closing ofthe contactor switch I82. When the manual con: trol is used, there aretwo switches in the circuit, namely contactor switch I82 and the lowercontacts of dump switch 228, both of which may be open and connectionsmust be made between said contacts of both of these switches before themain bin valve release can be operated. The operation of relay solenoid284 through the automatic switch 213 releases the main bin valve in thesame manner as described in connection with the manual control of relaysolenoid 264 by switch 229.

The release of the main bin valve 53 as above described checks the mainflow of material, but leaves the dribble bin valve 59 still open therebypermitting a diminished supply or dribble stream to continue to flowthrough the opening 63 in the main valve into the scale hopper.

The automatic closing of the dribble bin valve 59 thereafterdiscontinues the flow of the dribble stream when the desired amount ofmaterial has been discharged from the bin and has raised the scale beamthrough the central portion of its are. This is controlled by theoperation 0! the photoelectric control means. Tracing this circuit, Yenergy from main switch 48 flows along conductor 225 to point 212,thence through auto weigh switch 210 to apoint 213, thence alongconductor 236, thence along conductor I93, thence through contactorswitch 92, thence along conductors I94 and 238, thence through thesolenoid 239, thence along conductor 240 and through the closed contacts24I of the photo electric control to a source of X energy. The contacts2M are electrically connected by the upward movement of the balance endof the scale beam produced by the addition of more weight in the hopper.As the scale beam approaches the upward limit of its movement, lightpasses through the apertures I99, I96 and 202, thereby actuating thelight re-=- sponsive cell 200 and causing electrical connection betweenthe conductors 203 and its, thus energizing relay 242 and closing thecircuit through contacts 24 l. After the solenoid 239 has beenenergized, a separate source oi X energy passes to conductor Mil,keeping the solenoid 239 energized as long as Y energy is supplied toconductor 238, regardless of the intermittent op eration which may occurbetween contacts t ll in the photo electric control. With solenoidenergized, Y energy traveling along conductor 23B passes to conductor243 through the solenoid 244 to a source of X energy, thus energizingsolenoid 244 and allowing Y energy to pass through tally relay switchMill to a point 2%, thence along conductor 251 to a point 232, thencealong conductor 225 through the dribble valve release so lenoid 92 andto a source of X energy, thereby op erating the solenoid it of thedribble valve re lease and operating the catch mechanism bl oi thedribble valve release, permitting the dribble valve 59 to close bygravity. It will be noted that the balance end of the scale beam 23 haspassed the center of the balance part oi its arc and that an amount ofmaterial has been released,

' which has not yet reached the scale hopper. The

weight I86 has been adjusted so that this weight, when in the positionshown in full lines in Fig. is sufllcient to compensate for the weightoi such material. If the manually operated automatic dump switch 21i hasnot yet been closed, and the switch I8I is turned to the position shownby dotted lines in Fig. 2, the scale may be checked for accuracy.

As soon as the dribble valve has closed, the valve indicator switch I83will be thereby operated and conductors I06 and I08 willbe electricallyconnected, permitting Y energy from Iilt to flow along conductor I08 toa point 246, thence along conductors 241 and 248, and thence throughrelay switch 245, which relay switch 245 is closed, as the scale beam isup. Y energy from conductor 248 will then pass along conductor 249 to apoint. 214, and thence through scale dump release relay switch 215. Thecontacts of this scale dump release relay switch 215 are closed as thescale switch 40, connected with plunger 32,

indicates a safe load in the scale, thereby electrically connecting theY energy on conductor 53 to conductor 59, thence through the solenoid ofrelay 215 to a source of X energy, thereby energizing the relay 215 andclosing the contact points thereof. Y energy continues along conductor216, through auto dump switch 21I, which was closed upon commencement ofautomatic operation of the scale. Thence along conductor'211 to a point218, thence along conductor I51 through switch I49 to conductor I58,thence through the solenoid I21 of the valve release mechanism and to asource of X energy, thus energizing valve release solenoid I21 andreleasing the catch I23 and permitting the scale valve Hi to openbecause of the weight of material resting upon such scale valve. It willbe noted that before the scale valve Hi can be opened, the scale must becccupied with a weight of material at least equal to the minimum amountrequired to move the switch M9 to the occupied position; that the scaleis not overfull, thereby operating dump release relay switch 215 throughscale switch 49 attached to plunger 39; that the scale beam must be upbecause of weight of material in the scale hopper so that the switch 245has been operated; and the bin valve switch Hi8 must indicate that thebin valves 58 and til are closed, showing that the supply of materialfrom the bin to the scale has been cut off. Requiring such a series ofoperations before the scale valve can be opened,

insures that any material in the scale will be' weighed beforedelivering the material from the scale.

The material will. continue to flow through the scale valve from thescale hopper to a desired place, as to a chute indicated by 219, untilthe scale hopper is empty. When the scale hopper is empty, the scalevalve ill will close, due to the action oi counterweights lid and springi 36. As the scale valve iii is closed, it will be locked in closedposition by locking lug lit and parts connected therewith. Then theconductors Mill and we will be connected, and conductors Hill and illwill be disconnected, all of said conductors being operated by switchM9. The locl operation of scale valve ii I will connect conductors iii-iand Mill and Y energy will now from conductor 1162 along conductors Nil,Nil, Mi flit to a point Elli. along conductor 2M, through manuallyoperated automatic weigh switch 2%, along conductor i236 through switchits to conductor iili. Conductors E56 and iiii will be connected, as nomaterial is present in the scale. The Y energy will continue to flowalong conductor i, thence along conductor iii, through motor switch Bit,along conductor 2%, through the contact switch lili, along conductor 22I, through solenoid 85, and thence to a source of X energy, thusoperating the switch 84, and thereby energizing electric motor 8| of thethruster mechanism, as previously described. As soon as thepredetermined weight is delivered to the scale hopper, the indicatorswitch I49 will be operated, and the connection between conductors G56and I5! will be broken, thereby discontinuing the operation of thethruster mechanism and permitting the same to return to normal position.It is to be noted that a certain time delay is provided after theelectric motor 8I oi the thruster mechanism commences operation beforethe circuit to such motor is broken by the operation of indicator switchI. Such delay is desirable, as it permits sumcient time for the thrustermechanism to fully open the bin valves I8 and l! and permit said valvesto be secured in open position-by their respective catch means 85 and81. Thereafter, the automatic cycle of operations will follow so long asmaterial is present in the bin 20 and the previously described switchesin the circuit are not opened or disturbed.

As an additional protective means whenever the conductors I62 and IIIare electrically connected by the switch I49 due to the scale valve H ibeing open Y energy on conductor I82 will travel along conductor I'll toa point 280 through the solenoid relay ill to a source of X energy, thusenergizing the solenoid relay "I and permitting Y energy from point 282to flow to conductors 54 and ill and thence to points 232 and 238respectively, thence along conductors 226 and 221 respectively, throughsolenoid 92 and solenoid IM to a source of X energy, thereby releasingthe dribble valve hook 81 and the main valve hook 95. By this means, anadditional circuit is provided to insure that at all times the scalevalve ill is open; the bin valves are closed.

Solenoid relay 283 is provided as a safety measure to prevent duplicateregistration on the tally 2", or a duplicate record on the time recorder"I, should Y energy from I be momentarily interrupted by a rebound ofdribble bin valve 59. The operation is as follows: Y energy from INpasses along conductor I to point 246, thence along conductor 2" topoint 2, thence through solenoid relay 2", thence to a source of 1:energy. The operation of solenoid relay 288 permits Y energy to flowfrom point 266 through the contacts of solenoid relay III to conductor2", thus insuring that conductor 241 will. be energized with Y energyeven though Y energy from I may be momentarily interrupted by a reboundof dribble bin valve ll.

Obviously, changes may be made in the forms, dimensions and arrangementof the parts of our inyention, without departing from the principlethereof, the above setting forth only preferred forms of embodiment.

We claim:

1. In a scale, a scale hopper, a scale valve for said hopper, securingmeans for said valve, electrically controlled releasing means for saidsecuring means, light responsive electrical switch means, an electricalcircuit for said releasing means including therein electrical connectionestablished by the operation of said light responsive electrical switchmeans, a source of light operatively positioned as respects the balancedposition of a movable scale beam means and as respects said lightresponsive electrical switch means, and a movable scale beam meansoperatively connected with said hopper and movable into and out of thepath of light to said light responsive electrical switch means, wherebythe operation of said scale valve may be determined by the balancedposition of said movable scale beam means without interference with thefree movement 01' said scale beam.

2. In a scale, a scale hopper, a scale valve for said hopper, electricswitch means operated by the opening andclosing of said scale valve,supply means i'or said scale hopper, an electrically releasable hingedvalve member for said supply means, and an electrical circuit forreleasing said supply valve member including therein electricalconnection established by the operation of said said scale valve,

tricswitch means,

electric switch means,whereby the position of said supply valve meansmay be predetermined by theposition of said scale valve means.

8. In a scale, a scale hopper, a scale valve for said hopper, lockingmeans for said scale valve, 5 electric switch means operated by theopening and closing of said scale valve, other electric switch meansoperated by the locking and unlocking of supply means for said scalehopper, valve means for said supply means, electrically actuatedoperating devices for said supply valve means, electrical circuit meansfor said electrically actuated operating devices including thereinelectrical connection established by the operation of said two electricswitch means, whereby said supply valve means can only be actuated whensaid scale valve and said scale valve locking means are in predeterminedpositions.

4. In a scale, a scale hopper, supply means for said hopper. a pluralityoi electrically controlled valves for said supply means, lightresponsive electrical switch means, a source of light for said lightresponsive electrical switch means, movable scale beam means operativelyconnected to said scale hopper and movable into and out of the path oflight to said light responsive switch means, other electrical switchmeans operated by said movable scale beam means, an electrical circuitfor certain of said supply valve means in-- eluding therein electricalby the operation of said light responsive electrical switch means, andan electrical circuit for other of said supply valve means includingtherein electrical connection established by the operation oi said otherelectrical switch means.

5. In a scale, a scale hopper; an electrically controlled valve for saidhopper; electric switch means, establishing a plurality of electricalconnections, operated by said hopper valve: a supply means; anelectrically controlled valve for said supply means; electric switchmeans, establishing a plurality of electrical connections, operated bysaid supply valve; a scale balance beam operatively connected to saidscale hopper; elecestablishing a plurality of electrical connections,operated by predetermined positions of said scale balance beam; anelectrical operating circuit for said hopper valve including therein anelectrical connection established by the operation of said supply valveelectric switch so and by said electrical switch means operated by thebalance beams; and. an electrical operating circuit for said supplyvalve including therein electrical connection established by theoperation of said electrical switch means operated by the 66 balancebeam and by the electrical switch means operated by the hopper valve,whereby the relative positions and sequence of operation of the supplyvalve, the hopper valve and the balance beam may be predetermined.

6. In a scale, a scale hopper; an electrically controlled valve for saidhopper; electric switch means, establishing a plurality of electricalconnections, operated by said hopper valve; a supply means; anelectrically controlled valve for said as supply means; electric switchmeans. establishing a plurality of electrical connections, operated bysaid supply valve; a scale balance beam operatively connected to saidscale hopper; light responsive'electrical switch means; a source of 70light for said light responsive electrical switch means; scale beammeans operatively connected with said hopper and movable into and out ofthe path of light to said light responsive switch means; an electricaloperating circuit for said :5

connection established 30 hopper valve including therein an electricalconnection established by the operation 0! said light responsiveelectrical switch means and by said electrical switch means operated bythe supply valve and an electrical operating circuit for said supplyvalve including therein electrical connection established by theoperation of said light responsive electrical switch means and by theelectrical switch means operated by the hopper valve, whereby therelative positions and sequence of operation of the supply valve, thehopper valve and the balance beam may be predetermined.

'7. In a scale, a scale' hopper, a valve for said scale hopper, actuatedthrough a limited move ment by a predetermined minimum weight ofmaterial thereon while remaining in a closed position, supply means forsaid hopper, valve means for said supply means, electrically controlledopening devices for said supply valve means, electrical switch meansoperated by said limited movement of said scale valve, and an electriccircuit for said supply valve opening devices including thereinelectrical connection established by the operation of the saidelectrical switch means,

whereby the operation of said opening devices may be determined by theposition of said scale valve within the range of said limited movement.

8. In a scale, a scale hopper, supply means for said hopper, valve meansfor said supply means, electrically controlled opening devices for saidvalve means, a scale beam operatively connected to said hopper, movablecompensating weight means operatively connected to said scale beam andmovable into and out of compensating position, electrical switch meansclosed by said compensating weight means when said weight means is incompensating position, and an electrical circuit for said openingdevices including therein an electrical connection established by theclosing of said switch means.

9. In a scale, a scale hopper; supply means for said hopper; valve meansfor said supply means; an electrically controlled opening device forsaid valve means; electrically controlled closing means for said valvemeans; a movable scale beam operatively connected to said scale hopper;electrical switch means operated by a predetermined position of saidmovable scale beam; an electrical circuit for said valve closing means,including therein electrical connection established by the operation ofsaid scale beam switch means; a compensating weight means, for materialdelivered to the hopper after the operation of said scale beam switchmeans, operatively connected to said scale beam and movable into and outof compensating position; an electrical switch means operated by thesaid movement of said compensating weight; and an electrical circuit forsaid supply valve opening device, including therein an electricalconnection established by the operation of said compensating switch,whereby the said supply valve opening device may be actuated only upona. predetermined position of said compensating weight.

10. In a scale, a scale hopper, an electrically operated movable valvefor said hopper, a supply means, an electrically operated movable valvefor said supply means, pressure responsive means positioned above thenormal operating level in said hopper, an electrical switch establishinga plurality of electrical connections operated by said pressureresponsive means, an electrical circuit for said movable supply valveincluding therein an electrical connection established by the operationof said pressure responsive electrical switch means, and an electricalcircuit for said movable hopper valve including therein an electricalconnection established by the operation 01' said pressure responsivemeans, whereby the positions of said hopper valve and said supply valvemay be determined by an abnormal level of material in said hopper.

1-1. In a scale, a scale hopper; an electrically controlled valve forsaid hopper; a supply means; operating means for said supply means;electric switch means, establishing a plurality of electricalconnections, operated by said operating means for said supply means; ascale balance beam operatively connected to said scale hopper; electricswitch means operatively connected to said scale balance beam; and anelectrical operating circuit for said hopper valve, including therein anelectrical connection established by the operation oi said balance beamelectrical switch means and by said electric switch means operated bythe operating means for said supply means, whereby the position of thehopper valve may be predetermined by the position of said balance beamand said operating means for the supply means.

12. In a scale, a scale hopper; a valve for said scale hopper, actuatedthrough a limited movement by a predetermined minimum weight of materialthereon while remaining in a closed position; supply means for saidhopper; electrically controlled operating devices for said supply means;electrical switch means operated by said limited movement of said scalevalve; and an electric circuit for said electrically controlledoperating devices for said supply means, including therein electricalconnection established by the operation of the said electrical switchmeans, whereby the operation of said electrically controlled operatingdevices for said supply means may be determined by the position of saidscale valve within the range of said limited movement.

13. In a scale, a scale hopper; supply means for said hopper;electrically controlled operating means for said supply means; a scalebeam operatively connected to said hopper; movable compensating weightmeans operatively connected to said scale beam and movable into and outof compensating position; electrical switch means operated by themovement of said compensating weight into and out of compensatingposition; and an electrical circuit for said electrically controlledoperating means for said supply means including therein an electricalconnection established by the operation of said electrical switch meansoperated by the movement of the compensating weight into and out ofcompensating position.

14. In a scale, a scale hopper; a supply means; an electricallycontrolled operating means for said supply means; pressure responsivemeans positioned above the normal operating level in said hopper; anelectrical switch establishing a plurality of electrical connectionsoperated by said pressure responsive means; and an electrical circuitfor said electrically controlled operating means for said supply meansincluding therein an electrical connection established by the operationof said pressure responsive electrical switch I means.

15. In a scale, a scale hopper; an electrically operated movable valvefor said hopper; a superated by said pressure responsive means: anelectrical circuit for said electrically controlled operating means forsaid supply means including therein an electrical connection establishedby the operation oi said pressure responsive electrical switch means;and an electrical circuit for said movable hopper valve includingtherein an electrical connection established by the operation 01' saidpressure responsive means, whereby the position of said hopper valve andthe operation of said electrically controlled operating means for saidsupply means may be determined by an abnormal level of material in saidhopper.

l6. In a scale, a scale hopper; an electrically supply means. wherebythe position of said hop- 10 per valve may be predetermined by saidoperating means ior the supply means.

CRIN WALLACE FISHER. RALPH EDWIN WALTER.

